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Runtime Calculation:
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The Watts to Time calculation determines how long a battery or power source will last based on its energy capacity (in watt-hours) and the power consumption of the device (in watts). This is particularly useful for ultra-low-power devices where extended runtime is important.
The calculator uses the simple formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula divides the total available energy by the rate of energy consumption to determine how long the power source will last.
Details: Accurate runtime estimation is crucial for designing battery-powered systems, especially IoT devices, sensors, and other ultra-low-power applications where extended operation is required.
Tips: Enter the battery or power source capacity in watt-hours (Wh) and the device's power consumption in watts (W). Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between Wh and Ah?
A: Watt-hours (Wh) measure energy capacity, while amp-hours (Ah) measure charge capacity. Wh = Ah × Voltage. Wh is more useful when comparing different battery voltages.
Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a theoretical maximum. Real-world factors like temperature, battery age, and power fluctuations may affect actual runtime.
Q3: What's considered ultra-low-power?
A: Typically devices consuming less than 1W, often in the milliwatt (mW) range. Many IoT devices operate in the microwatt (µW) range during sleep modes.
Q4: Can I use this for solar-powered devices?
A: For solar systems, you'll need to account for daily solar input and energy storage capacity. This calculation only determines consumption from stored energy.
Q5: How can I extend my device's runtime?
A: Reduce power consumption through efficient design, sleep modes, lower clock speeds, and optimizing wake/sleep cycles.